Apple’s announcements around Siri AI and Apple Intelligence captured much of the attention during its recent developer event, but the company also introduced a wide range of practical enhancements across its core apps and services in iOS 27. The latest software update brings new tools to Apple Wallet, Apple Maps, Find My, Apple Pay, Apple Music, Podcasts, iCloud Shared Albums, and Fitness+. These additions are designed to improve daily experiences for users by making navigation, payments, content discovery, location sharing, and media consumption more convenient. Many of the newly announced iOS 27 features focus on simplifying common tasks while adding deeper integration across Apple’s ecosystem of devices and services.
Apple Maps gains improved Flyover and Local Lists
Apple is refreshing its Maps experience with upgrades aimed at helping users discover places more easily.
One of the notable improvements comes to Flyover, the feature that provides immersive 3D views of cities and landmarks. Apple says the experience now offers more detailed visuals along with smoother navigation, making virtual exploration more engaging.
The company is also introducing Local Lists, a new feature that helps users discover and save recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other places. By highlighting trending locations directly within Maps, Apple is giving users another way to explore destinations without relying on additional apps.
Find My adds flexible location-sharing controls
Location sharing is becoming more customizable through updates to Find My.
Starting later this year, users will be able to share their location for a specific duration. Options include sharing for a few minutes, several hours, multiple days, or until a chosen date and time.
Apple is also adding the ability to temporarily pause location sharing with individual contacts until the end of the day. The feature can be useful in situations where users want more privacy while still maintaining long-term sharing arrangements.
Apple Wallet introduces AI-powered bill splitting
Among the most significant iOS 27 features is a new bill-splitting capability in Apple Wallet.
Using the iPhone camera, users can scan receipts and automatically divide expenses among friends through Apple Cash. Powered by Apple Intelligence, the feature can identify individual items, calculate taxes and tips, determine each person’s share, and support repayments through Messages or Wallet.
Apple is also expanding Wallet’s ability to digitize physical membership and loyalty cards. Users can save eligible cards by scanning a barcode or digital version directly into Wallet.
Support is extending to Apple Watch as well, allowing passes to be pinned to the Smart Stack for quicker access.
Travelers are receiving additional benefits through a redesigned hotel key experience. Guests at participating hotels and resorts can use their iPhone or Apple Watch not only to unlock rooms but also to access trip details, schedules, service information, and real-time updates from within Wallet.
Apple Pay receives a redesigned checkout experience
Apple Pay is getting a refreshed payment flow for online and in-app purchases.
The updated interface allows users to move between payment cards more easily while viewing information such as rewards balances, debit account balances, and available pay-later options.
Apple also plans to introduce the ability for eligible users to add funds directly to debit cards through Wallet or during Apple Pay checkout later this year.
For businesses, Apple is expanding Tap to Pay on iPhone through a new feature called Tap to Share. This allows customers to securely share information such as loyalty program details, shipping addresses, and contact information with participating merchants using a simple tap.
Apple Music, Podcasts and iCloud receive new capabilities
Apple Music users will gain expanded support for Lyrics Translation, including English translations for songs in French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish, and Japanese.
The Lyrics Pronunciation feature is also expanding, helping listeners sing along to songs in languages they may not speak by displaying phonetically translated lyrics.
AutoMix, which creates smoother song transitions, is being enhanced with more immersive mixes and is expanding to Apple TV and HomePod. Additionally, Apple Music subscribers will be able to access Hi-Res Lossless Audio on Apple TV 4K when using compatible audio systems.
Apple Podcasts is receiving a new search within show feature, allowing users to search episodes within a specific podcast across multiple Apple platforms. Video podcasts are also arriving on Mac and Apple TV.
Meanwhile, iCloud Shared Albums is gaining support for full-resolution photo sharing, additional file types, emoji reactions, enhanced activity feeds, and temporary albums designed for short-term projects and events. Apple is also enabling contributions through the web, allowing people without Apple devices to participate.
Fitness+ introduces menopause-focused wellness content
Fitness+ is adding a new three-week program called Strong Through Menopause.
The program includes guided Yoga and Strength workouts designed to help users improve strength, mobility, balance, and stress management during perimenopause and menopause.
Apple is also releasing a new Time to Walk episode featuring actor Busy Philipps, who discusses her personal experiences with perimenopause.
Availability
Apple says all of these new iOS 27 features are currently available for testing through the Apple Developer Program. A public beta version is expected to become available next month, giving more users the opportunity to experience the updates before their wider release.
Read More: IOS 27 Features: Wallet, Maps, Find My & Apple Pay Updates
FAQ:
What are the biggest iOS 27 features?
The biggest additions include AI-powered bill splitting in Apple Wallet, Local Lists in Apple Maps, flexible location-sharing controls in Find My, and a redesigned Apple Pay checkout experience.
How does Apple Wallet bill splitting work?
Users can scan a receipt with their iPhone camera, and Apple Intelligence automatically calculates each person’s share, including taxes and tips.
What is Local Lists in Apple Maps?
Local Lists helps users discover and save trending recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other locations directly within Maps.
Can users customize location sharing in Find My?
Yes. Users can choose custom sharing durations and temporarily pause location sharing with specific contacts.
What improvements are coming to Apple Music?
Apple Music is expanding Lyrics Translation, Lyrics Pronunciation, AutoMix functionality, and Hi-Res Lossless Audio support on Apple TV 4K.
